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First Call: Steelers favored to be 4th in AFC North; trade suggestion for secondary; legendary NBA draft outfit | TribLIVE.com
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First Call: Steelers favored to be 4th in AFC North; trade suggestion for secondary; legendary NBA draft outfit

Tim Benz
Tim Benz

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Chaz Palla | Tribune-Review
The Steelers’ Levi Wallace defends on a pass intended for the Saints’ Juwan Johnson on Nov. 10, 2022, at Acrisure Stadium.

Friday’s “First Call” features a trade idea for the Steelers. But it’s one I wouldn’t pursue.

Some recently posted gambling odds don’t reflect well for the Steelers. The Pirates blew a lead and were frequently blown out of the batter’s box Thursday night in Miami.

Robert Morris’ hockey schedule has been released. And an NBA draftee challenged the limits of fashion on draft night.

What’s up with Wallace?

A team in the NFC should consider acquiring a Steelers cornerback.

Or, should I say, another Steelers cornerback.

That’s the opinion of Pro Football Network’s Dallas Robison. As discovered by SteelersNow.com, Robinson posted a piece looking at three trades the Detroit Lions should make. One of those ideas is to acquire Levi Wallace from the Steelers.

The Lions just signed Cam Sutton away in free agency, so why not get Wallace too? Here’s why Robinson floated Wallace’s name.

“Levi Wallace may no longer be in the Steelers’ plans after they signed Patrick Peterson and drafted fellow cornerback Joey Porter Jr. at the top of the second round,” Robinson wrote. “Given that Wallace is scheduled to hit free agency next offseason, Pittsburgh could aim to get something in return for him now rather than lose him next year for nothing…Wallace could offer the Lions much-needed depth, and Pittsburgh might be willing to part ways for a Day 3 pick.”

True. But that’s what Wallace gives the Steelers as well at a very valuable position. Actually, Wallace may begin the season starting until Joey Porter Jr. is ready to take on more snaps.

Wallace wasn’t a Pro Bowler last year in Pittsburgh. But he was pretty decent and seemed like a worthy acquisition after playing his first four years in Buffalo.

This isn’t a trade I would consider.

Feeling fourth place

BetOnline.ag released its NFL divisional “exact order of finish” odds Thursday. Those are the wagers you can make on any team to finish in a specific slot in their division.

The Steelers are favored to finish fourth in the AFC North. Their odds to do so are at 7/4, or plus-175 (i.e. bet $100 and win $175). The longer shots are finishing third at plus-225 (9/4), second at plus-280 (14/5) and plus-500 (5/1) to win it.

The Cincinnati Bengals are the favorites to win the North at plus-120 (6/5). Baltimore has the narrowest odds for second place at plus-210 (21/10). And the Browns are slotted as the most likely squad to finish third (plus-190, 19/10)

Where’s my money going? Gimme the Steelers to end up in third at plus-225 (9/4).

Pirates perspective

During their 10th loss in a row Thursday night, the Pirates had difficulty against Marlins starter Braxton Garrett. The lefty gathered up a career high 13 strikeouts over seven innings pitched and walked no one.

The Pirates did score twice against Garrett. One of those runs was earned. And they got to the bullpen, opening a 4-1 lead. But the Marlins ended up winning 6-4.

Now, I know what you are thinking. “Boy, 13 strikeouts without a single walk? It must’ve been a long time since a pitcher has done that to the Pirates.”

It has been — if you consider nine months a long time.

Jacob De Grom of the Mets posted those exact numbers against Pittsburgh on Sept. 18 of last year. The Buccos lost that game, 7-3, as well.

Before then, it actually had been a while. Another Marlin, Jose Fernandez, racked up 13 Ks without a walk on July 28, 2013. That was a game the Marlins won 3-2 as Fernandez outdueled Gerrit Cole.

In all, 20 Pirates went down on strikes Thursday, without drawing a single walk the whole game.

Special schedule

The Robert Morris hockey teams resume play this fall after a two-year hiatus.

The schedule for the men’s team was released Thursday. The rebooted Colonials open at home against Bowling Green on Saturday, Oct. 7. They’ll play a return game against the Falcons on the road the next night.

Derek Schooley’s first full home weekend is two weeks later in a conference matchup against Holy Cross. The Crusaders are in town Oct. 20 and 21. The team will visit national powerhouse Minnesota on Dec. 29-30. The regular season wraps up on the road at Air Force on Feb 23 and 24.

For the Atlantic Hockey playoffs, all 11 teams qualify for the tournament. The first round begins March 2 at campus sites.

The women’s schedule will be released next week.

Toto in Toronto?

Finally, the NBA draft was Thursday night. As expected, 7-foot-5 Victor Wembanyama out of France was the No. 1 overall pick by the San Antonio Spurs.

But it was Toronto’s pick at No. 13 who stole the show with his fashion choice. The Raptors selected Grady Dick out of Kansas. He wore a sparkling, ruby red suit — like Dorothy’s slippers in the “Wizard of Oz.”

Cuz, Kansas, I guess? Get it!?

As you would assume, Twitter had some fun with this one.

If your first NBA draft night comp is to Chazz Michael Michaels of “Blades of Glory,” then you are doing something right.

Tim Benz is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Tim at tbenz@triblive.com or via X. All tweets could be reposted. All emails are subject to publication unless specified otherwise.

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